Absorbent filter for smoking appliances



July 25, 1933. P H, MINTON 5 ABSORBENT FILTER FOR SMOKING APPLIANCESFiled Feb. 6, 1932 ,2 ATTORNEY Patented July 25, 1933 UNITED sTATEs PAULH. MINTON, OF CHATHAM, NEW JERSEY ABSORBENT FILTER FOR SMOKINGAPPLIANCES Application filed February 6, 1932. Serial No. 591,255.

This invention relates to anovel removable absorbent filter cartridgefor pipes, 01- gar and cigarette holders and similar tobacco smokingappliances.

5 This invention has for a general object to rovide a novel constructionof absorbent filter cartridge adapted to be removably disposed in thepassage of a tobacco pipe stem, cigar or cigarette holder or the like toprovide a means capable of separating moisture and oily suspensions fromthe smoke fumes drawn therethrough, while at the same time providing acooling effect upon the latter, so that only cool, sweet smoke isdelivered to the mouth of the smoker, thus eliminating objectionabletongue burning and biting effects so commonly attendant upon the use ofsuch smoking appliances.

The invention has for a further object to provide an absorbent cartridgewhichis constructed and formed in such novel manner as not only toefliciently serve the purposes already mentioned, but so as to furtherprovide a novel filter means or screen adapted to prevent the outwardpassage through a pipe stem or the like, and thence to the mouth of thesmoker, of fiakes or crumbs of tobacco leaf, particles of char, etc.;the filtering elements being of such form and arrangement as to, per se,be non-clogging, whereby easy suction of smoke therethrough is assured,and consequently a cool, sweet and free drawing smoking appliance isfurnished. Y

A more specific object of this invention is to provide a cartridge ofthe general kind above mentioned, which is further provided with amoisture-proof or impervious outer jacket or covering adapted, when thecartridge occupies the passage of the smoking appliance, to protect thewalls 'of said pas sage against accumulations and absorption ofmoisture, oily substances and tobacco tar, thus preventing the appliancefrom becoming rank and odorous; in addition to this advantage, theprovision of the moisture impervious jacket or covering makes for otheradvantages, as will subsequently appear, among which is that ofproviding a protection to the fingers of the user against soiling whenhandling a used cartridge.

Another object of this invention is to provide a jacket or covering asabove mentioned which comprises substantially transparent 55 material,whereby the condition of the absorbent body of the cartridge consequentupon its use may be visually indicated.

Other objects of this invention, not at this time more particularlyenumerated, will become apparent in the following detailed descriptionof the same.

An illustrative embodiment of this invention is shown in theaccompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 shows a smoking pipe in partsection, with a novel absorbent filter cartridge of this inventionoperatively disposed in the passage of the stem thereof; Fig. 2 is anenlarged side elevation of the novel cart-ridge as provided with themoisture impervious jacket or external cover, this latter part beingshown in section; Fig. 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal vertical sectionthrough the cartridge, drawn on a considerably enlarged scale; and Fig.4 is a transverse section of the same, taken on line 44 in Fig. 3.

Similar characters of reference are employed in the above describedviews, to indicate corresponding parts.

Referring to the drawing, the reference character 5 indicates thetubular body of the novel filter cartridge. Preferably this body 5comprises a plurality of strips of unsized cellulose material, such aspaper, which are spirally wound in superimposed relation into thetubular form desired, whereby the walls of the body are composed of aplurality of plies overlying one another. The number of plies .may bevaried according to the thickness of body wall desired to be obtained.Unsized cellulose material, such as provided by unfilled soft paper, isa very satisfactory material for the filter cartridge body, sincematerial of such character is readily pervious, to moisture and thelike, and consequently furnishes the absorbent characteristic desired inthe finished product.

I do not limit myself to the use of the Cal lulose material or paper forthe production of the absorbent tubular body 5, since the latter (withinthe scope of the broader aspects of my invention) may be made of anyother material which is ervious to moisture so as to possess the absorent character necessary to the functioning thereof 1n use. While I havesuggested the use of a plurality of paper -strips spirally wound insuperimposed relation into the desired tubular body, such specific formand arrangement is not absolutely essential, but is recommended becauseof the facility and rapidity with which material of this form may bewrought, by suitable automatic machine processes, into the desiredtubular body by a continuous operation, calculated to produce acontinuous running length of body which may be easily cut up intocartridges of desired length. It Wlll be obvious that'the body 5 may beformed by rolling absorbent sheet mattrial rectilinearly upon itselfinto tubular form, or the body 5 may be produced in any other way deemedpractical.

Sewn through the cartridge body 5 in a longitudinally spiral coursethroughout the length thereof is a run of stitching 6 of textile thread.The individual stitches extend transversely or diametrically through thetubular body from one side to the opposite side thereof, thusdiametrically crossing the interior bore 7 of said body. As thestitching is produced the body is moved longitudinally while beingrotated about its longitudinal axis, and consequently the line ofstitching follows a spiral or helical course, whereby the diametricallytraversing stitch elements 8 cross the bore 7 of the body atprogressively shifting angles following a spiral or helical planelengthwise of this bore. It will thus be apparent that the aggregate ofstitch elements will provide an interstitial screen or filter massdisposed across the area of the bore 7 (this being clearly illustratedin Fig. 4 of the drawing), while nevertheless an open or unobstructedtortuous passage of spiral or helical form will extend lengthwise of thebore 7. Such arrangementof stitching has many advantages, and affords animportant novel feature of this invention. In the first place, the novelarrangement of stitching 6, pro

vides a mechanical means for binding and maintaining the material of thebody 5 in the desired tubular form to which it has been fabricated; inthe second place, the diametrically disposed stitch elements 8 whichtraverse the bore 7 of the body at different angles, provide a filter orscreen structure which is highly effective in arresting the movement ofany flakes or crumbs of tobacco, particles of char or like foreignbodies through the bore 7, thereby preventing such substances from beingdrawn into the mouth of the smoker, and thus avoiding the acter of thestitching 6, and the stitch elements 8 thereof, may be varied asdesired, according to the type of sewing mechanism utilized in theproduction thereof. For example, the stitching may comprise single ordouble chain stitch, lock stitch or other specific stitch form. Thestitching may be run in single or plural lines and any other variationsof form and arrangement may be selectively employed, so long as thedesired mechanical binding and screen forming effects are attained.

The novel absorbent" filter cartridge, as

above characterized, may be employed without external jacket or coveringby insertion thereof in the smoke draft passage of a pipe, cigar orcigarette holder or other smoking appliance, as, for example, byinsertion in the aligned cavities 9 and 10 respectively provided in thestem 11 and bit 12 of a smoking pipe 13 as illustrated in Fig. 1 of thedrawing.

It is preferable, however, to provide the filter cartridge body with ajacket or covering of moisture impervious material, and the provision ofsuch jacket or covering is a further novel feature of my invention. Inthe drawing, the reference character .14 indicates the external jacketor covering which is applied to and around the external cylindricalsurface of the filter cartridge. This jacket or covering 14 is made ofan suitable moisture proof material. Pre erably the jacket or coveringcomprises substantially transparent cellulosic sheet material, such asis sold under the trade mark Cellophane the same providing the moistureimpervious characteristics desired, as well as affording a suflicientlytough and durable material calculated to both protect the softermaterial of the cartridge body and to reenforce the same mechanicallyagainst separation, disintegration, crushing stresses or injury whenhandling the same; while also, by reason of its transparent character,enabling the user to inspect the condition of the absorbent bodyenclosed thereby consequent upon use thereof. The jacket or covering maybe variously formed and applied to the cartridge. Preferably a strip ofCellophane is spirally wrapped about the cartridge, with its contiguousmargins overlapped and secured or sealed together b a suitable adhesiveor cementitious materia When the filter cartridge is in place within thesmoke draft passage of a smoking appliance, and the latter is in use,the smo e is caused to pass through the bore of the filter cartridgebefore admission into the mouth of the smoker. Any moisture, oil ortarry substances or the like suspende in the smoke fumes will, oncontacting with the absorbent material of the filter cartridge body, betaken up or absorbed thereby and thusseparated from'the smoke, so thatthe latter will be thoroughly cleansed thereof,

before admission to the mouth of the smoker. In addition to the functionof the filter cartridge in thus separating moisture, etc., from thesmoke, and in addition to the screening eifect of the screen formingstitch elements 8 whereby tobacco particles, etc., are arrested andprevented from gaining access to the smokers mouth, the filter cartridgealso functions to somewhat cool or lower the temperature of the smokefumes. This cooling effect is due to a certain amount of moistureevaporation which occurs within the filter cartridge. Moisture collectsupon the walls of the body 5 and is absorbed therebyfand at the sametime considerable moisture is caught upon the stitch elements 8 whichtraverse the bore 7 of the filter ;car-

tridge. More or less of the moisture thus separated from the smoke fumesis therefore suspended in the presence of the smoke streams, which, asthey move through the filter cartridge, tend to evaporate the moisturewith the consequent cooling effects common to evaporative processes.Another factor in the cooling processes, is the effect of the angularlydisposed stitch elements 8, which cross the bore 7, whereby the smokestream is broken up into small streams which are caused to contact withthe relatively cool surfaces of the cartridge body and the aggregate ofstitch elements 8, thus facilitating the transfer of heat from th smoketo the cartridge body.

The provision of the moisture impervious jacket or covering 14 preventsthe moisture, and oily or tarry substances accumulated by the cart-ridgebody from gaining access to and soaking into the adjacent body of thesmoking appliance, thus keeping the surfaces of the latter clean anddry, and preventing the formation of odorous accumulations andencrustations which otherwise would soon render the appliance rankandodorous. A further advantage of the moisture impervious jacket orcovering 14 is to provide a clean external surface with respect to usedcartridges, so that the same may be readily handled with the fingers ofthe user, when removing the same for replacement in an appliance,without risk of soiling the fingers. Another advantage of the jacket orcovering 14, when made of substantially transparent cellulosic material,such e. as that sold under the trade mark ell ophane is its function asa means to disclose the condition of the cartridge consequent upon itsuse.

The novel absorbent filter cartridge of this invention may be utilizedas a carrier for flavoring or medicament material desired to be impartedto the smoke passed therethrough. For example, menthol is now frequentlyused as a flavoring ingredient and for its medicament functions inconnection with the tobacco. my invention may be charged or impregnatedwith menthol or other essences so as to impart the effects thereof tothe smoke traversing the cartridge. In such case, the moisture proofjacket or covering 14 serves as a seal to prevent loss of theimpregnating material by evaporation. covering may be given distinctivecoloring, especially when this is desirable to distinguish chemicallytreated cartridges from those which are not so treated. And, finally,

The jacket or The novel cartridge of it may be pointed out that theexternal jacket or covering affords a convenient medium for the displayof advertising matter, trade-marks, etc. in connection with thecartridges.

From the above description it will be readily understood that thepresent invention provides a novel form absorbent filter cartridge forsmokin ppliances which not only provides a max imnm of abwithoutdeparting from the scope thereof,

it is intended therefore, that all matter contained in the abovedescription or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be inter- Ipreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is 1. An absorbent filter cartridge for smokingappliances, comprising a tubular body formed of absorbent sheet materialwound upon itself, and stitching of textile thread extending in alongitudinally spiral plane throu h said body and across the borethereof, w ereby said stitching forms a spiral screen defining openspiral passages between opposite sides thereof and the walls of saidbore and extending from end to end of the latter. i

2. An absorbent filter cartridge for smoking appliances, comprising atubular body upon itself, stitching of textile thread extending in alongitudinally splral line through said body and across the bore thereofto provide an interstitial screen within said bore, and an externaljacket of moisture impervious and relatively tough substantiallytransparent material enveloping said body and adhesive means securingsaid material to said body, whereby said body is reenforced againstdistortion, disintegration or collapse and the condition thereofconsequent upon its .use is discernible.

3. An absorbent filter cartridge for smoking appliances, comprising atubular body formed of absorbent material, stitching sewn through saidbody and across the bore thereof, and an external jacket of moistureproof and relativel tough substantially transparent material envelopingsaid body and adhesive means securing said material to said body,whereby said body is reenforced against distortion, disintegration orcollapse and the condition thereof consequent upon its use isdiscernible.

4. A filter cartridge for smoking appliances, comprising a plurality ofstrips of absorbent paper wound spirally into a tubular body, stitchingof textile thread sewn spirally through said tubular body, saidstitching providing a plurality of successive stitch elements eachextending diametrically across the .bore of said body, and said stitchelements being disposed in different angular positions in relation oneto another, whereby the same form in the aggregate a spiral screenwithin the bore of said body defining open spiral passages betweenopposite sides of said screen and the walls of said bore and extendingfrom end to end of the latter.

5. A filter cartridge for smoking appliances, comprising a plurality ofstrips of absorbent paper wound spirally into a tubular body, stitchingof textile thread sewn spirally through said tubular body, saidstitching providing a plurality of stitch elements extendingdiametrically across the bore of said body, said stitch elements beingdisposed in diiferent angular positions in relation one to anotherwhereby the same form in the aggregate an interstitial screen within thebore of said body, and an external covering of relatively toughsubstantiallv transtegration or collapse and the condition thereofconsequent upon its use is discernible.

6. A filter cartridge for smoking appliances, comprising a .plurality ofstrips of absorbent paper wound spirally into a tubular body, stitchingof textile thread sewn spirally through said tubular body, saidstitching providing a plurality of stitch elements extendingdiametrically across the bore of said body, said stitch elements beingdisposed in different angular positions in relation one toanother'whereby the same form in the aggregate an interstitial screenwithin thebore of said body, and an external covering enveloping saidbody, said covering comprising substantially transparent sheet andadhesive means securing said material to said body, all whereby saidbody is reenforced and the condition thereof consequent upon its use isdiscernible.

7. A filter cartridge for smoking appliances, comprising a plurality ofstrips of absorbent paper wound spirally into a tubular body, stitchingof textile thread sewn spirally through said tubular body, saidstitching providing a plurality of stitch elements extendingdiametrically across the bore of said bod said stitch elements beingdisposed in ,di erent angular positions in relation one to anotherwhereby the same formin the aggregate .an interstitial screen within thebore of said body, and an external moisture impervious coveringenveloping said body, said covering comprising a strip of substantiallytransparent cellulosic material spirally wound upon. and around andcemented to said body with marginal portions thereof overlapping andcementing one to another.

8. An absorbent filter cartridge for smoking appliances, comprising abody of absorbent material, and an external covering enveloping saidbody, said covering comprising substantially moisture proof andtransparent cellulosic material, and means to secure said covering tosaid body, said covering being adapted to disclose the condition of thebody consequent upon its use.

PAUL H. MINTON.

DISCLAIMER- Ohatham, N. J. ABsoRBENr FILTER ron SMOKING dated July 1938,by the assignee, Minion Ma Hereby enters this disclaimer to claim W[Ofiiewl Gazette February 8, 1938.]

25, 1938. Disclaimer filed January 8,

nnfactun'ng Company.

8 of the aforesaid Letters Patent.

